CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
"Your Highness." One of the officials said and he stepped out of the mob.
"What is it?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"Is this a joke?" The man confidently asked.
"Why, do I look like I am joking with you?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"We can not just trust your bare words Your Highness." The official said, "How can we let a woman lead us?" He asked.
"There are two reasons as to why I chose to come here the first being that for us to trust one another we needed to know ourselves not just by name but physically and the second is that apart from me there is no one that can bear all your dreams and put all your talents to the best service of the country." Princess Toyomike replied.
"Everyone knows that the Imperial Princess Toyomike is virtuous and kind, on top of that if I recall you are only sixteen years old.
To stake our lives and we become followers of someone that has barely touched the twilight of teenagehood is folly. It is the most insensible bargain for us all.
Considering what it is that General Fujiyaro is showing us right here today he is mistaking us to be fools.
If he is man then he should at least see some sense in us, who would believe that such a magnificent secret campaign could be run by an inexperienced young girl who knows nothing about politics!" The official said and the others nearly erupted into an uproar.
"Allow me to ask you a question." Princess Toyomike said.
"Go ahead." The official said.
"All of you that are gathered here came aware that should things turn out to be the worst and not in your favour, once caught you could be apprehended on the chance of factionalism and even suspected to be rebels.
How can an ordinary girl who is sixteen years old be able to tell the difference between who is fit and who is not?
You that are all gathered here are free to choose whether to be my people or forsake that desire but apart from me who shall ever understand how underprivileged you are in the court when the High aristocrats from the primary clans are the ones receiving the best of everything.
Apart from me who do you think amongst the Crown Prince's Consorts is the most likely one to rule the Inner Court?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"The fate of our families and our own lives can not entirely depend on the notions and the premonitions of a young woman." The official said.
"You are welcome." Princess Toyomike said
"Of all that are gathered here you were ousted from power and you have lost your positions to those unscrupulous politicians and when have you been compensated?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"What you are asking for is something that we can not be in the position to offer." An official said.
"You are a Princess so it's natural that should the ploy be discovered and this clout exposed, every one can testify that you were only being used and nothing more.
On our side we aren't even close to being Royal blood and the merit that we earn is too little to cater for our everyday lives.
Should this clout be exposed then in the end of it all, it could be the very bane of all our clans, families and households." Another added.
"Stop." Princess Toyomike said.
They all kept quiet.
"Who here is willing to follow me?" Princess Toyomike asked and about five of the people that were gathered raised their hands.
"Others who feel suffocated you can leave this room but as you do renounce every one of the privileges within these few months that I have given you and spare your positions for those that are willing to serve under my cause.
My intention as I told you was not to force anyone to become a part of this clout, but once you walk through that door then this is my Promise that whatever acquaintance there is between you and me it shall be forgotten and that very instant we shall have become enemies.
If you can not be for me then you are against me, and if you are not for me then there is no reason for me to confine you any longer.
I shall forget that I ever knew you and should it one time happen that my will is done, look far away from me and never should you gaze at my sight, withdraw from the secularity of this world because if you can do this Nippon no good then to me you are the most useless citizen and the most worthless man." Princess Toyomike said.
The men looked down.
"I have shown you what I am capable of doing just as an Imperial Princess without any Influence in the Inner Court but on your side as you make this bargain can you imagine what more I would do if I became the head of the inner Court?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"Your Highness." An official said.
"You have enough time to think about this and I have given you not more than a month, keep your eyes pinned at the Palace and see how wrong I shall prove you within that time." Princess Toyomike replied as she descended from where she was standing and at that very moment she walked out.
The Officials looked at her as she vanished and a few of them turned to General Fujiyaro who stared at them.
"I was no more than an ordinary General in the army, but at least I am grateful that it was the Imperial Princess who gave me charge of the power I possess right now and made it possible that even amongst the Chieftains in the court, I can speak up." General Fujiyaro said as he also left the stage and walked out leaving the officials murmuring amongst themselves inside.
"He is crazy to think that the Imperial Princess herself is a reliable foundation for this clout." They said.
"Could it be possible that she is the one who has given us everything that we have?" Others asked.
"You heard her offer, if we aren't hers then we must relinquish whatever that we have." One Official said.
"I don't know about you but thanks to my recent appointment I can clearly tell you that my family is living far better than it was living before." One said.
"Either way we aren't that powerful to contend with all the other Courtiers there are in the Imperial court." One said.
"This is something that requires patience." Someone suddenly said and everyone turned around to see who it was.
There on one of the windows sat a man who was drinking some liquor while he was fanning himself under the moonlight.
"Don't listen to him, he is just a drunkard." An official said.
"You'd barely notice me unless you looked closer." The man said and at that moment, the official turned around to see who the man was.
"Who are you?" One of them asked.
"I am a nobody in this world that is happening to pass by, I thought that there was a sensible discussion going on in here but it turns out that you are all fools you need the guidance of a sixteen year old girl to open your eyes." The man replied.
"How dare you?" an official said.
"You even have the guts to ask me why?" The man said as he jumped from the window and landed on the stage.
"You all have nothing big to live on with your families so you'd rather stay that way and starve to death?
The court is corrupted but the corrupt won't and when the people look for someone to hold responsible then it is not them but you that they expect to understand them the most.
Who cares if this is factionalism but isn't this for the sake of your own good and the people?" The man asked.
No one was able to see his face as he wore a conical hat on his head.
They kept quiet and didn't seem ready to conjure up an excuse any time soon.
"You hold onto your pride that you'd find it much easier to submit to those men rather than listen to a woman that can carry your dreams and your expectations.
She is offering you all a chance to become lords and men that shall diligently serve your country.
Should you forsake such a courageous woman then before the world as you stand confidently to call Yourselves men you know from today that you are no different from those cruel officials because it is cowardice that is in your heart's." The man said as he turned around and faced the window.
"By this time tomorrow or next year, it doesn't really matter, with the Imperial Chieftain gone and they themselves standing for that position, they shall solely rule the Imperial court and Officials like all of you that are gathered within this room shall never eat of the fruits that cometh from your endless sweat and tears of blood." The man added as he climbed the window and jumped outside.
Princess Toyomike stood outside and at that moment General Fujiyaro called her.
"Your Highness." He said that she turned around and looked at him.
"Your Excellency." Princess Toyomike replied.
"I told you that it was unwise to turn up so soon." Fujiyaro said.
"I needed them all to know me and I needed to know them all as well." Princess Toyomike replied.
"But you do realize your Highness that this isn't something that is very easy." Fujiyaro said, "It has become more difficult for them to choose whether to continue with this clique or abandon it." General Fujiyaro said.
"That is the first step in this alliance that I do not regret, those that are willing to stake everything that they have for me I shall do the same for them. That is where all loyalty starts from.
I had no intention of keeping my followers in the dark and I still don't have it and depending on the decisions all of them shall make then it shall define the type of relationship that we shall have in future.
I shall know whom to trust more than the other, whom you be wary of and who is more devoted than the other.
Only those that prove able to overcome this challenge that I have laid ahead for them are worthy to enter my service and become my people." Princess Toyomike replied.
"What you are doing Your Highness, you saw the numbers for yourself and you of all people can understand better than anyone else what it means.
How do you intend on changing their minds about you because I know that you yourself shall not be willing to let go of any of them?" General Fujiyaro asked.
"Be patient." Princess Toyomike said and at that point the General kept quiet for a while when the man wearing the hat from before approached the two of them.
"Your Highness." General Fujiyaro said until the man stopping in front of the two of them removed the conical hat to eventually reveal himself as Kabane whom Princess Toyomike had turned up with.
"Did you do as I had asked you?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"Yes Your Highness." Kabane replied as he bowed his head.
"Very well then." Princess Toyomike said as a smile graced her face.
"Your Highness, what have you done?" General Fujiyaro asked.
"I knew that to convince those people to acknowledge me as their leader would be a very difficult task so I came personally prepared.
I knew that it would take more than the words from my own mouth to convince them so I needed to use the mouth of another that they night understand." Princess Toyomike replied.
"Guilt?" General Fujiyaro asked.
"You are smart enough you have even noticed that." Princess Toyomike said.
"I see Your Highness." General Fujiyaro replied.
"To go up against the Empress I must have the support of very many and much as they are reluctant to follow me I am also unwilling to lose any of them because their talents are all valuable.
The only thing that I needed to do was to ignite a fire that would wholly consume them they would see the flaws in the administration and had to see only me for their refuge.
Even if they were to try, indirectly I intended on showing them that the only way that they can survive is in currying favour, devotion and allegiance with me alone." Princess Toyomike said.
"Your Highness is in deed smart." General Fujiyaro said.
"Don't flatter me yet." Princess Toyomike said.
"Why Your Highness?" General Fujiyaro asked.
"We aren't even close to the beginning of this war, this is only the planning phase." Princess Toyomike replied.
The Courtiers gathered in the throne room a number of them already prepared, Umako had turned up as well with a group of Sogas that supported him.
Everyone knew very well what time it was and since the mourning period had ended Mononobe no Moriya stood at the forefront waiting for the Emperor as Umako stood on the opposite side facing him.
Sato walked in at that moment and everyone turned around to look at him.
"His Majesty deigns you with His presence." He announced and falling in order at once, they all watched as the Emperor made his way up to the Chrysanthemum throne and he stood and faced them.
"Your Majesty." They all greeted him in unison as they bowed their heads and there he sat down and everything went silent.
"I understand much better than anyone else that you are all gathered here today because of a very urgent matter.
I similarly do not intend on wasting any time that I want to get straight to the point." The Emperor said and he had everyone's attention.
"We are all very much aware of the untimely demise of our former Imperial Chieftain Soga no Iname no Sukune and for the state to continue someone must assume his position.
I do recall that in the past this was an issue that arose amongst you my people and thinking it through the thee High positions in the court have entirely been reshuffled." The Emperor added.
Seeing that everyone else was anxiously waiting on him he continued.
"After considering everything I have finally come to a conclusion that for the post of Imperial Chieftain, I am considering..." The Emperor said and Umako and Moriya looked at each other so earnestly.
"..... Mononobe no Moriya." The Emperor concluded and the Sogas were entirely disappointed as Moriya smiled at Umako while he turned around and faced the Emperor.
"Thank you Your Majesty." Moriya said.
"For the position of Ōmuraji that Moriya has been holding I have decided that the best candidate that is fit for this position is Soga no Umako." The Emperor added and Moriya himself was surprised.
"The others you shall retain your positions until your service has expired and without further adieu this assembly is dismissed." The Emperor said.
"Long live Your Majesty." The Courtiers said as they bowed their heads while the Emperor walked out.
Moriya and Mononobe no Suke walked out.
"Congratulations." Mononobe no Suke said.
"No." Moriya replied.
"Why?" Mononobe no Suke asked.
"This is a disappointment and a heavy blow to us all because if Umako has assumed my position then we are at a disadvantage." Moriya replied.
"Your like a King who is under house arrest." Mononobe no Suke said.
"This gesture of the Emperor has indirectly granted Umako the control of lands and Military equipment and his Majesty is firm on his decision we can not aggravate him." Moriya replied.
"But if there are Loyalists to you you needn't fear a thing because he could control all those rations but his subordinates will never be commensurate to him." Mononobe no Suke said.
"I certainly hope so." Moriya replied. "But I wouldn't wish to underestimate Umako given everything that has happened recently." He added.
A while had passed and everything in the Palace had seemingly turned out to be normal.
Princess Toyomike was seated at her table when Ōane no Kimi walked into the room and approached her.
"Your Highness." She said as she bowed her head and her.
"Aunt." Princess Toyomike replied when she noticed her presence.
"It has been a while since we last talked." Consort Ōane no Kimi said..
"I have been exhausted and feeling a little bit weak this time around I was told that I should be resting adequately." Princess Toyomike replied.
"That's good Your Highness." Consort Ōane no Kimi said.
"In deed it is." Princess Toyomike replied as she started to feel dizzy at that moment and she supported her head.
Consort Ōane no Kimi noticed the sudden shift in the Imperial Princess Toyomike's mood that she was concerned.
"Is there anything wrong?" Comes Ōane no Kimi asked.
"Nothing " Princess Toyomike replied as she turned back to look at her aunt.
"If there is then please don't keep it to yourself." Consort Ōane no Kimi said.
"I won't." Princess Toyomike replied.
At that point, her aunt clapped and inside her the Princess' Chambers a group of maids servants walked in holding with them trays that were filled with a series of dishes.
Princess Toyomike looking at them was very much surprised as they were laid at the table in front of her.
"What's this aunt?" Princess Toyomike asked.
"I consulted with the Imperial physician and all the other doctors that are handling your well-being.
I received a series of recipes from them that were supposed to prepare you for child birth anytime soon.
They shall keep the baby along with yourself in good health in the next few days." Consort Ōane no Kimi said.
"Thank you." Princess Toyomike said, "But fir the time being I have to decline." She replied.
"Why?" Consort Ōane no Kimi asked.
At that moment, Princess Toyomike started to sweat profusely and Ōane no Kimi noticed that her heart beat had accelerated.
"Your Highness, are you feeling hot?" She asked.
"Yes." Princess Toyomike replied, perhaps I need to lie down for a while." She added.
"Help her out." Consort Ōane no Kimi ordered the maids that were with her and they walked over to the side of Princess Toyomike to lift her up.
The moment that Princess Toyomike stood up she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen and at that moment, her fluids poured out.
Consort Ōane no Kimi stood up to try and take a closer look.
"Her Highness' water is broken." One of the maids supporting her said.
"The baby." Princess Toyomike said.
"Wasn't it supposed to come in the next two days?" Consort Ōane no Kimi asked.
"I don't know but I feel it coming." Princess Toyomike replied.
"Someone summon the High Priestess, the Imperial Princess is giving birth." Consort Ōane no Kimi ordered and the maids that were nearby rushed out of the room immediately around to one side of the palace where they found the Imperial shrine.
The High Priestess knelt in the Inner room and she had just been concluding her prayers when at that moment, she stood up.
Bowing her head towards the altar she turned around and then departed from the presence of the gods as she stepped out into the courtyard right when two of the Palace maids walked up to her.
"Your Eminence." They said as they bowed their heads.
"What is it?" The High Priestess asked.
"Her Imperial Highness the Princess Toyomike's child is coming." The maids replied in unison as they were sweating profusely.
"What?" The High Priestess said.
"The Child, it is coming." The maids replied as they bowed their heads and the shrine maidens that were next to the High Priestess turned to her.
"All of you." She ordered, "Prepare everything and we march to the Imperial Princess' Chambers at once." She added.
"Aye." The maidens replied.
"Mihari." The High Priestess said as she turned to her closest maiden.
"What shall I do for you your Eminence?" Mihari asked.
"Run as fast as your feet can carry you and go to the Eastern Palace, there please tell the Empress that the child is coming." The High Priestess replied.
"Yes Your Highness." Mihari replied as she bowed her head and at once she strode off in the direction of the Empress' residence.
Consort Katashishime was seats in the gardens and she was enjoying a view by the pond.
There was total silence that filled the place and it was a very peaceful afternoon with nothing but a cup of tea to ease her mind.
She was surrounded by a series of Palace maids and a few guards stood at a distance as they watched her.
She was lost in thought remembering the early days when she along with the Emperor were in love.
All of a sudden, the tranquil and the peace was Disturbed when turning around she noticed the presence of her sister's maids running up to her.
"Your Highness." They said as they bowed their heads.
Placing her cup on the table she turned to look at them when she noticed that they were sweating profusely.
"What is it?" Consort Katashishime asked.
"Her Highness the Imperial Princess." one of the maids replied and her attention was fully captured.
"What's wrong with her?" Consort Katashishime asked, "What's with my daughter?" she added.
"Her Highness' water is broken, her child is coming out." The maid replied and at once Consort Katashishime stood up.
"Where is she?" She asked.
"At her Palace." The maids replied and at once Consort Katashishime strode away in the direction of her daughter's residence while her maids and her retainers followed.
The Emperor was seated in his room when at that moment Sato rushed in.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." He cried as he walked right into his presence and he bowed his head.
"What is it?" The Emperor asked.
"News from Her Highness the Imperial Princess Toyomike's Palace." Sato replied.
"Is there anything wrong that has happened to her?" The Emperor asked.
"Her Highness is in labour." Sato replied.
"How is that possible?" The Emperor asked as he shot up in surprise.
"I don't know but it has been confirmed that the baby is on its way." Sato replied.
"Have a messenger sent out to the Office of Finances to tell the Crown Prince about this, I need him here as soon as possible." The Emperor ordered.
"Yes Your Majesty." Sato replied.
"I'm going to see the Imperial Princess right away." The Emperor said as he walked from the seat and then headed for the exit of his study.
The Empress and the Crown Princess were seated together and they were talking with one another while playing a game of chess when Sakae walked in.
"Your Highnesses." She said as she bowed her head.
"What is it?" The Empress asked as she and her daughter in law continued to play.
"The High Priestess personal maid is here to see you and she claims to convey urgent need to your hearing." Sakae replied.
"Please let her in." Empress Ishi Hime said.
"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied as she bowed her head and then she walked out.
"Mother." The Crown Princess asked.
"What is it?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.
"What do you think the High Priestess wishes to tell you?" The Crown Princess asked.
"I don't know, there wasn't much that I had told her to do so I am wondering as well what it is that she could possibly be trying to say." Empress Ishi Hime replied as they continued with the game.
At that moment, Sakae returned into the room with Mihari and the two of them buwed their heads.
"Your Highness." Mihari said.
"What is so important that the High Priestess sent you here and couldn't turn up in person?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.
"It's about her Highness the Imperial Princess Toyomike." Mihari replied.
The Empress and her daughter in law continued with their game.
"What about her now?" The Crown Princess asked.
"Her Highness is in labour." Mihari replied right when the Empress had lifted a chess piece and she halted in mid air.
"What?" The Crown Princess said.
"Her Highness is in labour and the High Priestess and the other Shrine maidens went over to help her deliver while she asked me to at least come here and tell you the news." Mihari replied.
"I have heard." Empress Ishi Hime said, "You may leave." She added as Mihari bowed her head and then she walked out of the room.
"Mother." the Crown Princess called, "That soon?" She added.
"No one knew exactly when it was that she had conceived the child as it was estimated and these things happen." The Empress said.
"What are we going to do about the Princess?" The Crown Princess asked.
"Remember when I told you the other time that we have to now rely on luck." Empress Ishi Hime said.
"Yes Your Highness." The Crown Princess replied.
"We can only hope that the child that the Imperial Princess is delivering is not a boy." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Do you think that we should also go and wait outside her Chamber?" The Crown Princess asked.
"No." The Empress replied.
"Why?" The Crown Princess asked.
"Trust me if we are not around the better, if something were to go wrong then those wenches would blame the both of us, they'd find any preposterous excuse to blame us." The Empress replied.
"So what do we do now?" The Crown Princess asked.
"We wait until the Child has been delivered then we'll go there " The Empress replied.
"Alright Your Highness." The Crown Princess said.
"Sure." The Crown Princess replied.
"What if it's a boy?" She added.
"We can not let those people beat us as well." Empress Ishi Hime said, "We'll have to get rid of that child as soon as possible because it shall not only hamper us but it shall also threaten your position as the Future Empress." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Yes Your Highness." The Crown Princess replied.
The Crown Prince was at his office when Miwa no Sakau walked into the room.
"What is it?" The Crown Prince asked.
"Your Highness, congratulations." Miwa no Sakau said.
"What is it that has made you this lively?" The Crown Prince asked.
"Her Highness the Imperial Princess." Miwa no Sakau replied.
"What is it, what is wrong with her?" The Crown Prince asked.
"We have been informed from the Palace directly about her welfare, news is that she is in labour." Miwa no Sakau replied.
At once the Crown Prince stood up from his seat.
"Let's go to the Palace at once." He ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau replied and at once the two strode out.
The Shrine maidens had already gathered around Princess Toyomike and they had prepared everything.
Consort Ōane no Kimi was waiting outside the Imperial Princess' quarters when her sister Consort Katashishime and the Emperor arrived and the two of them found her.
"What's wrong?" Consort Katashishime asked. "Is everything alright?" She added.
"First calm down " Consort Ōane no Kimi said.
"How can I?"Consort Katashishime asked, "My daughter is in there giving birth." She added.
"Be patient." Consort Ōane no Kimi said.
"Calm down Milady." The Emperor said.
"They had already suspended the thick cotton fabric from the ceiling and Princess Toyomike was told to hold onto it.
The High Priestess who was in the vicinity was going to make her deliver at that time.
Her muscles had started contracting to expel the baby from the body and she was in so much pain that she tightly held onto the fabric.
"It is time " One of the midwives said.
"Your Highness, I am going to ask you to take a deep breath and then push." The High Priestess said.
Princess Toyomike nodded in pain.
"Push." She said and Princess Toyomike complied as she invested her might.
"You are doing it, keep going." The High Priestess said as the other midwives wiped away her sweat and others put a piece of fabric in her mouth.
Princess Toyomike ceased the fabric with all her might and then she pushed again.
The Crown Prince swiftly walked into Princess Toyomike's courtyard along with his eunuchs and retainers as they stationed themselves on the door.
"Your Highness." The two Consorts said as they bowed their heads and greeted him.
"Father, how is the Princess?" He asked.
"Nothing yet, she is still in delivery." The Emperor replied as they heard Princess Toyomike's screams coming from inside.
"Don't give up Your Highness, push , I can feel the shoulders." The High Priestess said.
Princess Toyomike pushed with all her might and at last the baby was out.
Everyone outside was anxiously waiting and as Princess Toyomike relaxed, the baby cried out loud that its advent resounded throughout the walls of the Palace.
Everyone that was outside was excited and a while later the doors were opened and the two Consorts along with the Emperor and his son walked into the room to the bedside of Princess Toyomike who was sweating profusely.
"Mother, father." Princess Toyomike said and at that moment High Priestess walked over with a smile on her face and the baby at hand.
"It is a beautiful Princess." The High Priestess said as she handed over the baby to the Crown Prince who looked at it.
It stared at him with it's bright dark eyes and pink lips while it lifted it's hand and touched his cheek while it smiled.
"She's beautiful." The Crown Prince said as she turned and faced the Emperor and his mother in law as he showed off her beauty.
"She looks just like Princess Toyomike when she was still very young and had also just been born." Consort Katashishime said.
"In deed." The Emperor said.
The Crown Prince was embracing the baby tightly as he turned and looked at Princess Toyomike who was lying in her bed while the High Priestess and the others walked out of the room with their things.
"I laud your efforts Milady." He said to Princess Toyomike.
"At last heaven has graced me with a very beautiful daughter that looks just as beautiful as I am." Princess Toyomike said.
The Crown Prince moved towards his favourite and sitting down by her bed side, he handed over the baby to her and the both of them admired it.
Consort Katashishime looked at the Emperor and he looked back at her as they admired the young couple that looked so deep in love.
The Empress and the Crown Princess were still anxiously seated in the Empress' Chambers when Sakae walked right in.
"Congratulations Your Highness and Heaven us on your side." Sakae said as she fell on her knees and bowed to the Empress who rose from her seat with the Crown Princess.
"Tell me." The Empress said, "What happened?" She asked.
"Her Royal Highness has delivered a Princess." Sakae replied.
"What?" The Crown Princess asked so overly excited.
"Yes." Sakae replied.
The Empress closed her eyes as she took in a deep breath, eventually she opened them with a smile on her face.
"Good, very good." She said as she nearly shed tears of joy.
"Mother." The Crown Princess said.
"Let's go." Empress Ishi Hime said.
"Where to mother?" The Crown Princess asked.
"We need to congratulate Her Highness, even now, she has lost to me." Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Aye." Sakae replied as the Empress walked out of the room.